Annal: 1993 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry

In 1807, at the height of the slave trade, Ajeemah and his son Atu are kidnapped by slave traders from their homeland in Africa. Their destiny is now the barbaric slave trade of the New World.

Upon arrival in Jamaica, father and son are separated and sold to neighboring plantations. Divided by only twenty miles, they will never see one another again. With all lost, even humanity, Ajeemah and his son must find a way to endure the harsh realities of their new life.

Jonas’s world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.